There doesn’t seem to be any video of Kaepernick explaining his sudden change of heart. This statement comes via CBS Sports reporter Jason LaCanfora who says he spent several hours talking to Kaepernick Saturday. “He’s not planning on kneeling,” LaCanfora said, adding, “He’s going to donate all his jersey sales and he’s planning on standing for the anthem if given the opportunity.” Here’s video of the interview with LaCanfora:

https://twitter.com/NFLonCBS/status/917060568875331584

“My primary takeaway is that his sole focus right now is on being a quarterback,” LaCanfora said. The whole thrust of this interview is the Kaepernick is now thinking about football and wants to be judged on football terms. The statement about the anthem at the end seems to seal that with a pledge going forward. But a short while after the story broke a correction was issued:

NEW YORK (AP) – CORRECTION: CBS reporter clarifies on saying Kaepernick would stand for anthem, says they didn't discuss issue.

— Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) October 8, 2017

Here’s the tweet from LaCanfora reversing course:

Standing for Anthem wasn't something that I spoke to Colin about sat. I relayed what had been reported about him standing in the future…

— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) October 8, 2017

Colin would have to address any future demonstrations. I didn't ask him if he would sit or stand. Our chat primarily about his will to play

— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) October 8, 2017

Frankly, this doesn’t make any sense. If this reporter spent several hours talking to Kaepernick it’s hard to believe the elephant in the room wasn’t discussed. LaCanfora seemed pretty clear when he said “He’s not planning on kneeling” and “he’s planning on standing.” Apparently, he’s now claiming he was only referencing this report from March.

In any case, Colin Kaepernick is a political extremist. He’s already made clear once that politics is more important to him than football. Even if he did make such a promise behind the scenes, why would a team take his word? And even if he does drop the anthem protest, there are lots of other ways he could continue to politicize his job (though probably few as counter-productive). Maybe some team wants his drama but it’s hard to see how the NFL as a whole benefits from it.

In fact, one prominent fan walked out on a game today after a dozen or more members of the San Francisco 49ers decided to kneel during the national anthem:

I left today's Colts game because @POTUS and I will not dignify any event that disrespects our soldiers, our Flag, or our National Anthem.

— Vice President Mike Pence Archived (@VP45) October 8, 2017

…now, more than ever, we should rally around our Flag and everything that unites us…

— Vice President Mike Pence Archived (@VP45) October 8, 2017

I stand with @POTUS Trump, I stand with our soldiers, and I will always stand for our Flag and our National Anthem. pic.twitter.com/B0zP5M41MQ

— Vice President Mike Pence Archived (@VP45) October 8, 2017

Update: I think this settles it:

A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on.

Winston S. Churchill

— Colin Kaepernick (@Kaepernick7) October 8, 2017

Also, the Big Lead notes that Kaepernick’s girlfriend says “The reports that Colin will stand for the anthem are completely false! He has never discussed this with anyone.”